HAWKE'S BAY PHILOSOPHICAL 

 INSTITUTE. 



Annual Report. 



During the past year there have been, including the annual business 

 meeting, seven meetings of the Institute. The Council met seven times, 

 and transacted a large amount of general business. At the ordinary 

 meetings four lectures were delivered and six papers read. 



The library has been increased by twenty volumes, and the accom- 

 modation for the books has been much improved. The Institute is 

 deeply indebted to Mr. Pointon, who has erected a new lantern-gallery, 

 which has added greatly to the convenience and comfort of those who 

 work the lantern. 



In September last Mr. A. Hamilton withdrew from the Museum a 

 large number of his Maori curios. His remaiuiug curios, together with 

 a number of botanical specimens, Mr. Hamilton presented to the society. 



The botanical specimens of the late Mr. Colenso, which had been lent 

 to Mr. Cheeseman, of Auckland, were returned by that gentleman 

 properly classified and arranged. Mr. Hill was authorised to communi- 

 cate with the Government with a view to the specimens being placed on 

 deposit in the Colonial Museum, where they would be of considerable use 

 for scientific purposes. Acting on the recommendation of the Council, 

 Mr. Hill communicated with the Premier, with the result that the 

 specimens have been forwarded to Wellington and placed on deposit as 

 suggested. 



Early last year a sub-committee was appointed to consider the ques- 

 tion of arranging the specimens and putting the Museum in order 

 generally. Nothing, however, has been done in this direction ; but your 

 Council consider the matter should be dealt with at once, if the Museum 

 is to be of any use to the society or to the public. 



Four new members were elected during the year, making a total 

 membership of fifty-five. 



List of Papers read during the Session, 1904. 



May 2. — The President, Dr. Moore, delivered the inaugural 

 address, his subject being " What we know about Alcohol." 



June 7. — Lecture by Dr. Kennedy, "Star-gazing without 

 a Telescope," illustrated by a large number of lantern-slides. 



July 4. — Joint lecture by Messrs. Tanner and Hill, "The 

 Hot Lakes District," the former taking the northern part ami 

 referring particularly to the Waimangu Geyser; the latter 

 dealing with the southern portion, witb special reference to 

 Euapehu and the nature of volcanoes. Numerous lantern- 

 slides were used in illustration. 



